poles

Well as I approach the century mark, I decided a trek pole over the standard wood staff might be a good idea. Off the clearance rack at wally world I bought 1, of a pair that had a lost partner, for a few bucks. Convinced me quick first time I used it. Have you guys had a discussion on these? Can't say I wanna spend 100 on a pair but I love using one and wonder how I went without. Course I had younger legs and knees. And really got hooked on it walking around scout camp a couple of months after my copperhead contact.... another story.

I like the ability to shorten, like the one I have. Often collapse it and clip it to my pack. This may not be a good feature?? One of the opinions I wanted. A joint that failed at the wrong time would not be good.

You folks use stix or poles? Any features I should look at if I get serious shopping?

thanks

'Clif,

I have been using hiking poles for quite some time. I have had a knee replacement, right one, and it helps a lot. The knee replacment had nothing to do with hiking. I don't want to have to do it again anytime soon and don't want to have to do the left one at all. My wife uses these. I use what is basicaly a snow shoe poles. They adjust like all of the other ones but don't have the springs inside. I don't feel as though I need the springs. I have these from when I lived in SW Wy. I sold the snow shoes on ebay but kept the poles! Any way they work great for me. They sure help in crossing streams, going up and down extream grades, etc.

OH

Clif, yes I actually use both poles and staff.. uh not at the same time lol.. though that would be funny. No, when I got a short but lot of climbing to do such as coming out of Hemmed in Hollow or up Round Top Mountain then I much prefer the extra reach of a nice 6ft staff. But when I got distance to do and especially when I got time involved I will use a pair of $80 LekiSport poles. Not the lightest but they only have 2 sections. Something that I do like as opposed to the 3 sections. Just seem more stable, may not be but they just seem that way to me. Like you when I was younger, uh 20 years ago I too did not care for sticks poles or the like. Always just seemed to me that was something else I had to carry. But once I hit that 40 mark things began to change and change they did in a hurry.
As far as Wally World poles.. ask Colt, if he will show back up lol. Think he is really busy buying up houses around Marion lol. He is on his second pair in a year. And the second pair is fairing no better than the first pair. The first pair, after their second or third maiden trip decided they did not want to collapse anymore and that may have been fine but they were to long when they decided that lol. They went to my alum. scrap pile lol. This set he is on now, when we just thru hiked the Buffalo at New Years, on the second day they began to start collapsing when they were not suppose to. Like when you put weight on it. I think that after watching them, that when he strikes the ground with the pole, it’s a natural reaction to twist the pole when pushing off. Plus he was TIRED... really really TIRED lol. This twisting action caused the compression nut to loosen and eventually collapse. Just my option though for what it’s worth. Cherro

Clif,

I would like to add that when I started hiking back in the 70's, I like most other bpkers followed the teachings of Colin Fletcher. He used, if I remember, a cane pole wraped at the top and bottom, to prevent cracking, duct tape and I think if I remembr it had a crutch tip on the bottom. I have been thinking lately that if I had to so a lot of stream crossings that I would prefer to go back to this set up. You can firmly grasp the pole with both hands if you are crossing a swift stream. I used this system to ford the Cossotot River back in the 70's, at a time that I probably shouldn't have been crossed (story for another day!) and it saved my bacon for sure! River cane abounds in most places, in fact it is everywere around here. One could easily make up one or two to use, cost $0.

"What is old is new again"

OH

Cliff,

I use to laugh at all the people I would see using trekking poles, they just didn't seem natural to me. They kinda reminded me of mall walkers, but on the trail. I kept reading post like this, and finally I was covinced to buy a pair. I bought pair of Leki Super Makalu's used for $60, and my wife nearly killed me for spending that on poles. The first time I used them though was awesome. These are the 3 section twist lock type, and I can adjust them however I need to. I am 29, and they have sure helped my go along.
If I am on a trail that has a lot of rock climbs, I can collapse them down and strap them to my ice axe straps on my pack, but then they are out again and ready to go. Leki is a good company, and are always ready to help you. Another good company that I have heard of is Black Diamond, a lot of people like their poles.
I have to have my poles a little over 115cm, and I found my son a pair of Leki youth poles for $20, they have a maximun length of 120cm I think, so if needed be, I could always use his, or a person looking to save money can buy the youth instead of the $120 Super Makalu's.

Ok... why you on the computer instead of out there in today??? I got a birfday party this afternoon... what's your excuse??

Some of the spots we have been to, it has been drop the pack or the stick. So like that I like the ability to shorten and hook to the pack. You get what you pay for. Good stuff guys.

I use poles about 50% of the time. I like the stability they give me and they make climbing easier. The ones I use sound a lot like Preacha Man's. They're three section and I find myself collapsing them down and putting them on my pack a lot. The one thing I don't like about them is, if you're not using them, they're just dead weight on your back. I would like to get some really light carbon fiber ones, but a lot of them don't collapse. That would mean always using them. And the collapsing, carbon fiber poles would defeat the purpose of a light pole, because the hardware that makes collapsing possible would add weight. Anyway . Hope this helps.

Note: I was told once that a set of treking poles on a 10 mile hike with a 20lb bag you would take 10,000lbs of impact force off of you body throughout the hike. Don't know if that's true, but its what I've heard.

Clif wrote:Ok... why you on the computer instead of out there in today??? I got a birfday party this afternoon... what's your excuse??

Some of the spots we have been to, it has been drop the pack or the stick. So like that I like the ability to shorten and hook to the pack. You get what you pay for. Good stuff guys.

I am leaving tomorrow afternoon for what is hopefully a 20 mile hike. It is a great day outside, and right now I am going to my Tae-Kwon-Do class. I hope more of us can get out this weekend.

I use a decent pair of Lekis. I day hike without them quite a bit, but on longer trips with a full pack, they increase my daily mileage by probably 15 to 20%.

Using 2 poles is the real key though. One helps, but only when you use both together do you get the real benefit.

Kyle,

So you would like some carbonfiber poles, how about making your own? Check this out.

OH

You got to love some of the stuff Jason does... don't care for some of his view points but he does some hell of DIY projects lol.

OH,
Its funny you showed me this, because I got a couple of golf shafts a couple of days ago for that very thing. Didn't know this website had the info already on it. I've just gotta get a hack saw and figure out how long I want them. I'll keep ya'll updated. Might take awhile though (just got my scale from amazon.com).

Well I am glad that it helped some one! Show us some pics when your project is finished!

OH

Guys,

I just thought of something relating to the DIY pole project. I have in storage in SE AR (bummer ) two pair of crosscountry ski poles. One is alum but one is carbonfiber. The next time I head south I am bring back the carbon ones and coverting them to hiking use. They already have a good grip at the top with a strap. I will just have to add a second grip, wrap or something and I might can use the tip that is already on them. If not I can cut them and buy the Leki Carbide tips and glue them on. Any way it's an idea!

OH

I would like to get some really light carbon fiber ones,

I just happened upon this http://www.rei.com/product/765288
http://www.rei.com/product/756146

Now that is interesting as I just happen to actually have some carbon fiber coated bamboo..... really and truly I do.

I recently purchased a pair of carbon fiber poles from backpackinglight.com when they were on sale. This weekend was the first trip out with them and they performed great and they're very light - 3.5 oz. each.
UL

UL,
Did you get the BPL STIX? The adjustable ones? About 3-4 oz per pole is what I'm trying to get out of the golf shafts. Don't know if its going to work out that way though.

Eddie,
Bamboo is pretty strong in its self. There is a bike company who is making frames out of the stuff. You may have something really useful.

Yea to bad that 4 peices cost about $250 huh hahahaha. They are for a specialized martial art that I practice. Japanese Fencing called Kendo.

willky:
I bought the one-piece Stiks. I got them in the 125 cm length. I'm not sure they even offer the adjustable one anymore.
UL

I don't know how I feel about a fixed length. Sometimes I get tired of using my poles and want to put them on the pack. But 3.5 oz/pole is really nice!

I have been keeping up with this topic because I am back and forthe on the idea of having poles. I can see the ease of water crossings for sure but I can't imagine having something in my hands the whole time.

ED,
For ease of crossing a creek/stream, they are awesome to have. But I do agree with you on holding them the whole time. I like to take pics a lot, and sometimes I find them getting in the way of that (just one example).

Ed... trust me its not the way you think. You really should try to find someone to loan you a pair to try. Makes one hell of a diff. I use to be the same way till I tried them.

They really do help with all aspects of hiking, from water crossings to maintaining balance on unlevel trails or areas where there are a lot of rocks, etc, that make for unsure footing. The best way to find out is to either borrow a pair or buy a very inexpensive pair, like the ones at Wal Mart and try them. Most people find that they really do like having them.
UL